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WE
97
DN
96
JS
96
Critic reviews

2020 Château d'Yquem

Sale price $375.00 | Sold Out | Drink or Cellar

The 2010 Château d'Yquem is a stellar example of this legendary Sauternes estate. This exquisite wine offers an intensely complex bouquet of candied citrus, apricot, honey, and exotic fruits, with subtle notes of vanilla and white flowers. On the palate, it displays remarkable concentration and purity, with perfect balance between opulent sweetness and vibrant acidity, culminating in an extraordinarily long, nuanced finish, promising exceptional aging potential.


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Cellared at 55°F & 70% Humidity

Critic Reviews
97

The floral wine has great intensity, dominated at this stage by the concentrated botrytis. It is powerful, rich, balancing acidity and sweetness. This of course is a great wine that will age, but it is almost ready now. Drink from 2027 and for many years.

Wine Enthusiast
96

A masterclass in purity and delicacy for this 2020 vintage which manages to convey the beauty and allure of Yquem in a toned down, subtle and beguiling way. Aromas of white blossom and honeysuckle, gently caramelised Mirabelle plums and fresh apricots with flecks of clementine and grapefruit pith abound on the nose - richly scented in their individual aspects but delivered quietly, almost sultry and shy. Immediately mouthfilling and unctuous, streamlined and fresh with a sugary hit hitting first before mouthwatering acidity follows giving sumptuous succulence and vibrancy. Apricot, peach, fleshy mango and sharp pineapple give the exotic fruit zing balanced by a salty, flintiness that adds faint angles to the expression. Juicy, bright, clean and complete with hints of cinnamon spice and just-toasted bread providing the frame and structure reminding you that this is built to last. It's not as opulent as some vintages, much more understated and relaxed - and coincidentally one of the lowest in residual sugar at 135g/l - but this is a wonderful expression with control and confidence on show. It also has supreme drinkability even now with tension, clarity and energy so don't be afraid to open and enjoy this in its joyful youth. The 2020 is the smallest production since 2000 with an equivalent of 35,000 bottles made. All stock will be released for sale on 23rd March with only a small number of bottles kept back for the estate's library collection. 3.79pH. The vintage was challenging in terms of viticulture with tropical spring-like weather delivering early budburst and high mildew pressure, especially given it was the estate's first year of official organic conversion. June was wet and cool followed by a hot, dry summer. Botrytis arrived in mid-October but there was only a small window of five days and two separate passes to harvest grapes with perfect noble rot.

Decanter
96

Very transparent and elegant with white peaches, lilacs, and light caramel. Medium-bodied, sweet and agile with salted caramel and dried orange character. Spicy botrytis at the end. Give this three or four years to come together.

James Suckling
The Estate

Château d'Yquem is the most renowned estate in Sauternes, holding the prestigious Premier Cru Supérieur classification. This iconic château, with its rich history dating back to the Middle Ages, is celebrated for producing what many consider the world's finest sweet wines. The estate covers 113 hectares, with about 100 hectares under vine, primarily planted with Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

2005 Château d'Yquem 2005
2005
2005

Iconic Power & Honeyed Depth

The warm and dry 2005 vintage produced rich, concentrated wines with excellent natural acidity. Yquem’s terroir preserved freshness and complexity, creating a luxurious and iconic dessert wine.

2009 Château d'Yquem 2009
2009
2009

Perfect Autumn Lifts Richness

Summer warmth in Sauternes transitioned to ideal autumn conditions, bringing pure botrytis across Yquem's elevated slopes. The château's clay-limestone soils provided crucial balance through the warm growing season. The wine displays both richness and lift, showing intense apricot notes and the saline mineral core distinctive to this historic site.

2010 Château d'Yquem 2010
2010
2010

Dry Summer Shapes Fruit

Summer drought in Sauternes concentrated fruit before perfect autumn fog brought waves of noble rot to Yquem's plateau. The estate's limestone-rich soils maintained crucial acidity through the dry growing season. The wine captures both power and precision, showing concentrated citrus notes and the refined honey character that defines this noble terroir.

2019 Château d'Yquem 2019
2019
2019

Perfect Botrytis Meets Brilliant Freshness

At Château d'Yquem, the 2019 growing season began with a warm spring leading to early flowering, followed by ideal summer conditions that laid the groundwork for noble rot development. The estate's rigorous picking system, with up to 8 passes through the vineyard, capitalized on perfect botrytis conditions in autumn, with each berry selected at the precise moment of optimal noble rot concentration. The result was fruit with exceptional concentration balanced by brilliant acidity.

2020 Château d'Yquem 2020
2020
2020

Yquem's Resilient Brilliance

The 2020 growing season at Château d'Yquem presented unique challenges, with a warm, dry summer followed by a September that required careful management of botrytis development. The estate's experienced team navigated these conditions expertly, employing strict selection and multiple passes through the vineyards. The result is a wine that combines intensity with exceptional freshness and purity, reflecting both the vintage conditions and Yquem's unwavering commitment to quality.

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